PCR Sampling Guide
PCR Air Sampling
(Air Cassettes are available from EMSL, Product IDs 8715309 and 8715251)
- Obtain PCR air sampling cassette from EMSL.
- Remove the upper (blue) and lower (red) plugs of the cassette.
- Attach a vacuum pump to the cassette through the lower opening.
- Set pump flow rate for 10 liters per minute – 13 liters per minute.
- Sample as much air as desired through the upper opening. There is no upper limit to sampling time, however collecting 1000 liters of air is adequate for most of PCR tests.
- Place each air cassette into the individual air-tight container such as a ziploc plastic bag.
- Clearly label the plastic bag with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number, collected air volume, collection location, time and date.
- Ship cassette to EMSL.
PCR Bulk Sampling
(2 oz and 4 oz Glass Jars are available from EMSL, Product IDs 8714223 and 8714232)
- Obtain plastic bags or glass jars from EMSL.
- Locate the representative portion of bulk material.
- Collect small amount of material with spoon, spatula, or any other tool.
- Place the sample in a clean, air-tight container such as ziploc plastic bag or small glass jar. Seal tightly.
- Clean up any residual material on the outside of the container. If necessary disinfect with alcohol wipes.
- Clearly label the container with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number, collection location, time and date.
- Ship bulk sample to EMSL.
PCR Swab Sampling
(1 ML Butterfields Swab is available from EMSL, Product ID 8708935)
- Obtain a swab from EMSL to collect specimen.
- Wearing gloves, remove the swab from transport tube.
- Swab the desired area thoroughly, rolling the swab lightly back and forth over sampling area. Sampling area of 4” x 4” is adequate for most of PCR tests.
- Insert swab into the tube with transport medium and firmly close the cap.
- Clearly label the transport tube with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number, sampling area, collection location, time and date.
- Ship swab to EMSL.
PCR Dust Sampling
(Dust and Allergen Sampler is available from EMSL, Product ID 8715600)
- Obtain Dust and Allergen Sampler from EMSL.
- Remove white plastic caps from both ends of the Dust and Allergen Sampler.
- Attach Dust and Allergen Sampler to the vacuum cleaner hose or tube.
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner and vacuum area necessary to obtain enough material for PCR testing. There is no upper limit to sampling time, however collecting at least 5 mg of dust is required for most of PCR tests.
- Disconnect Dust and Allergen Sampler from the vacuum cleaner hose or tube.
- Attach white plastic caps to both ends of the Dust and Allergen Sampler to secure dust sample inside the inner mesh plastic tube.
- Insert each Dust and Allergen Sampler into the individual air-tight container such as a ziploc plastic bag.
- Clearly label the plastic bag with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number, collection location, time and date.
- Ship Dust and Allergen Sampler to EMSL.
PCR Water Sampling
(120 ml, 250 ml, and 1000 mL Sterile Plastic Bottles with Preservative are available from EMSL, Product IDs 87M007, 87M005, and 87M001)
- Obtain Sterile Plastic Bottles with Preservative from EMSL.
- Fill container with specified volume of water and seal securely to prevent leakage during transport. Collecting between 100 milliliters and 1 liter of water is adequate for most of PCR tests.
- Clean up any residual liquid on the outside of the container. Disinfect with alcohol wipes if necessary.
- Clearly label Plastic Bottle with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number, water volume, collection location, time and date.
- Pack Bottles to the insulated container with ice packs to avoid sample overheating during shipping.
- Ship water samples to EMSL with overnight delivery.
PCR Bacterial and Fungal Culture Sampling
- Bacterial and fungal strains can be submitted for identification as axenic cultures on agar plates.
- Isolated colonies must be visible on a plate to ensure culture purity and accuracy of the identification.
- Clearly label agar plate with sample identification.
- Fill the EMSL Chain of Custody specifying sample number.
- Pack agar plate to the insulated container ensuring sample integrity during shipping.
- Ship agar plate to EMSL.
NOTE: For Histoplasma capsulatum analysis, EMSL cannot accept Spore Traps, Tape Lifts, Bulks, or Soils samples.
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